Page 31 of Talk About… Secrets
Four sets of shocked eyes landed on me but I kept my face straight ahead, letting them have their little moment of shock.
Tracey led her back behind the curtains, their voices talking excitedly about the veil and matching jewelry she’d picked out.
“What the hell was that? You don’t speak to us like that.” My aunt’s voice was pure venom.
I laughed as I leveled Cassidy with a look. “Don’t act shocked. You guys have been negative from the start. Hell, Bianca caused a scene trying to check in adayearly. You are not going to ruinHailey’s moment and I swear to god if I catch one hint of an announcement or anything to draw attention away, I will make it mine, my friends, and the groomsmen’s mission to make your lives pure hell.”
She gaped at me as the sisters shared a look. My mom was clutching her chest in shock, but I just waited with a smile on my face for Tracey to come back.
One by one she walked us back for the fitting. I didn’t bother to show off mine since Hailey was hiding out in the back and saw it. Her opinion was the only one that mattered.
We couldn’t avoid it any longer as Celine and Bianca took their turns. The staff was given parameters so it shouldn’t have been an issue.
Bianca was first, and honestly I couldn’t think of a single bad thing to say. She was stunning. The soft pink dress was made of satin and lace, cutting in at the waist then flaring slightly. It showed off her curves and height perfectly.
“That looks incredible on you,” Hailey said, clapping her hands. She was excited enough it soothed my aunt into silence for now.
Then it was Celine’s turn. Mine and Hailey’s jaws dropped in unison as she stepped out in an ivory, floor length, mermaid style dress.
It was a wedding dress.
A fucking, wedding dress.
“What are you doing?” I asked, ready for a fight.
“This is not the color I gave you. Grace’s dress is the only one standing out and that’s because it’s purple. What are you doing?” Hailey repeated my question and then some, earning a smirk from our cousin.
Celine did a little spin and kicked up her leg. “Just showing off the dress. Your colors are pink, purple, and ivory. I broke no rules.”
“You wasted our money,” Hailey thundered. “And now I’ll have to make a groomsman stand down because you’re sure as hell not wearing that at my wedding. You’re out.”
Celine’s jaw dropped as my mom and aunt both started in.
“Now, let’s not get hasty, Hailey,” Mom started her usual placations.
“What has gotten into you two? We are family,” Cassidy argued with pure indignation she had no right to feel at this moment.
“Family doesn’t do all you’ve done,” I said, pulling Hailey up. “We are heading back now while you reconsider your awful treatment of someone who is family and has always treated you with respect. Shame on all four of you for the behavior we’ve seen in only two fucking days.”
Hailey and I walked out, arm in arm, while she barely kept tears at bay and my anger was palpable.
The drive back was tense and I was glad we chose to drive separately. Mom could ride back with her preferred family anyway. She really was showing her true colors lately.
Something on our faces must have clued the guys in, Nolan and Beck were by the entrance when we pulled in, faces stormy, and me ready to kick everyone out.
“What happened?” Beck asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. I wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms and draw on my alpha’s comfort.
Keeping our distance sucked.
“Celine walked out for her fitting in a wedding dress.”
“Are you kidding me?” Nolan gasped. “How? Why?”
Hailey sniffled. “Because they don’t care about me. I’m really starting to regret our decision not to elope.”
“So, elope,” I said, giving her a look. Seeing my sister this angry had me ready to scream. “You two sneak out tonight. We can help pack and get you to your cars unseen. Go have yourwedding peacefully, elope. Once you’ve made it official, I’ll let the family know what happened. Of course, I’ll let the awful four know that there’s no more chances to ruin anything. A true one-up moment like you’ve been saying.”
What started as a joke, turned serious as I laid it all out there.
